Article for displaying an object

ABSTRACT

An article for displaying an object has side portions having an outer wall and an inner rabbet; a top profile between the outer wall and inner rabbet, the top profile providing a protruding lip over the inner rabbet; and a bottom surface; characterized by the article, when viewed from the top profile, representing a form of a letter or a numeral other than “O” or zero, non-serif capital “I”, lower case “I”, or non-serif numeral one, “M” or “W”. The article can be a picture frame, a photoframe, or a shadow box.

CROSS REFEERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of the filing date under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application for Patent Ser. No. 60/720,547, filed Sep. 26, 2005, which is hereby fully incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to articles, such as picture frames, photoframes and shadow boxes, for displaying objects.

BACKGROUND

Articles for displaying objects include picture frames, photoframes, shadow boxes and the like, referred to herein generally as “frames” or “picture frames”. These articles conventionally comprise rails of moulding assembled or produced in the shape of a square, rectangle, circle, or oval.

The sides of square or rectangular frames are arranged at right angles to adjacent sides. If assembled from lengths of moulding, the sides may comprise rails of the moulding, miter cut at their ends at a 45 degree angle.

Other shapes of frames that have been conventionally produced include triangular, which may have rails of moulding miter cut at least one end to an acute angle less than 45 degrees; hexagonal, which may have rails of moulding cut at a 60 degree angle, and octagonal, which may have rails of moulding cut at a 67.5 degree angle.

Picture frame moulding may be metal, such as aluminum, wood, or plastic, such as polystyrene or polyvinylchloride. These mouldings are conventionally miter cut, but frames are also currently produced from suitable materials known in the art such as plastic, resin and the like, in a mold that provides the above described shapes.

Occasionally, rails of moulding have been joined in a hybrid shape, with an oval portion joined to straight rails, such as an oval or circular portion joined to three sides of a rectangle, or joined to two sides in a general fan shape.

Frames display objects, by containing the objects substantially within the boundaries of the sides of the frames. Objects may include art objects in substantially two dimensions, such as paintings, prints, posters, photographs, postage stamps, and the like, or three dimensional objects such as art objects, memorabilia, collectibles, nostalgia items, and the like.

Picture frames, in addition to the joined moulding rails, may include other components, such as backing or mounting materials for holding or mounting the object to be displayed (e.g. mounting board, masonite and the like), one or more mats, which may be made of various materials (paper cardboard, alphacellulose board, ragboard, or other materials) and which generally outline the object to be displayed, generally surrounding the portion of the object to be visually displayed within the “cut opening” of the mat or mats.

The frame may also include a fillet, which is a very thin moulding used as an accent in framing inside another moulding or a liner. It is sometimes used under the glazing at the edge of the mat window opening. A liner is a fabric covered moulding sometimes used inside the outer moulding. For many objects to be displayed, the picture frame will have a transparent protective cover of glass, Plexiglas® sheet, polycarbonate, or the like, which fits within the inside of the frame moulding.

It has not previously been known to provide an article for displaying an object that, when viewed from its top profile, that is, when viewed facing the object displayed, represents or is disposed in the form of a letter or numeral. Exceptions are the letter “O” or numeral “zero” that resemble a circle or oval, and the non-serif capital letter “I”, lower case “L”, or numeral “one” that resemble an elongated rectangle.

SUMMARY

Provided is an article for displaying an object comprising side portions having an outer wall and an inner rabbet; a top profile between the outer wall and inner rabbet, the top profile providing a protruding lip over the inner rabbet; and a bottom surface; characterized by the article, when viewed from the top profile, representing a form of a letter or a numeral other than “O” or zero, non-serif capital “I”, lower case “l”, or non-serif numeral one, “M” or “W”.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the profile of an illustrative frame in the form of a capital letter R.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the rear or back of an illustrative frame in the form of a capital letter R, showing a Plexiglas® sheet held by the lip of the profile.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view from the back of the illustrative capital letter R frame showing indented portions in the rectangular portion of the frame.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of an illustrative assembled frame in the shape of a capital letter R showing a photo in a mat window forming part of the open portion of the letter R, with additional objects matted and mounted within the frame.

FIG. 5 is a cutaway elevational view of an illustrative frame moulding having an outer wall and an inner rabbet; a top profile between the outer wall and inner rabbet, the top profile providing a protruding lip over the inner rabbet; and a bottom surface.

FIG. 6 is a cutaway elevational view of a shadow box moulding having an outer wall and an inner rabbet; a top profile between the outer wall and inner rabbet, the top profile providing a protruding lip over the inner rabbet; and a bottom surface providing a recessed lip extending into the inner rabbet.

FIG. 7 shows the top plan view of frames representing the shape of capital letters A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, serif I, J, K, L, N, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, X, Y, and Z.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Articles, such as picture frames, photoframes and shadows boxes, for displaying objected are provided. The articles are provided in the general shape of a letter or numeral. The articles for displaying objects include side portions having an outer wall and an inner rabbet, a top profile between the outer wall and inner rabbet, the top profile providing a protruding lip over the inner rabbet. and a bottom surface. When the article for displaying objects is viewed from the top profile, the article is characterized in that is represents a form of a letter or a numeral other than “O” or zero, non-serif capital “I”, lower case “l”, or non-serif numeral one, “M” or “W”.

Frame moulding rails have an outer wall that, when the rails are joined, form at least in part the outer boundary or shape of the frame. The inner wall or rabbet, holds the other frame components in conjunction with which the object is displayed, such as a mat or mats, mounting board for the object, or optionally the object itself The top profile of the rail laces outwardly, generally in the same view as the object being displayed. The top profile provides a lip over the opening of the frame, that holds the other frame components, such as a translucent cover (such as glass) mat or mats, mounting board, or the object itself. The bottom surface of the rail may have a recessed lip extending into the inner rabbet, to accommodate or hold a mat or mats, mounting board for the object, or object itself, particularly when the object is three dimensional or is desired to be positioned away from the top profile and/or glass. Alternatively, the other frame components may be held within the joined moulding by points, pins, turn-tabs, or the like.

The frame may be formed into the shape of a letter or numeral by the same methods used to produce conventional picture frames, including making the frame from suitable materials in a mold, or by cutting and joining picture frame moulding lengths.

In one embodiment, the form of the letter or numeral comprises a generally rectangular shape having portions of at least one side of the rectangle indented into the side, wherein each side portion is disposed with respect to an adjacent side portion by a right angle. These frames can be made by cutting length moulding to the desired size rails with conventional 45° miter cuts.

Rather than joining the cut moulding rails into a conventional four sided rectangle, having four outside corners, certain rails that have been “back cut”, or cut from the opposite side, to form a reverse 45° angle, can be joined into inside corners. By joining the rails with the appropriate combination of inside and outside corners, frames having substantially rectangular portions are prepared representing, or disposed in, the shape of letters or numerals. Illustrative examples are those frames representing the form of the capital letters E, F, H, serif I, L and T.

These frames, and others discussed below, may also be prepared in an appropriately shaped mold from suitable materials.

In another embodiment, the form of the letter or numeral comprises a generally rectangular or polygonal shape having portions of at least one side of the rectangle or polygon indented into the side, wherein at least one side portion is disposed with respect to an adjacent side portion by an angle other than a right angle. Besides being prepared in a mold, the frame can be cut and joined as discussed above, with a portion of the frame comprising a conventional rectangle or other polygon, but with at least one side of the rectangle being replaced with rails that have at least one end cut with other than a 45° angle. Illustrative examples are those frames reprsenting the form of the capital letters N and V.

In a further embodiment, the form of the letter or numeral comprises a generally polygonal shape having more than 4 sides, and at least one side has an indentation in a portion thereof. Besides being prepared in a mold, frame rails can be cut from moulding lengths and joined, having ends cut or back cut at angles such as 22.5°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 67.5° where appropriate, so that curved portions of letters or numerals can be approximated. Illustrative examples are those frames reprsenting the form of the capital letters C, G, U.

In another embodiment, the frame has a diagonal portion extending into or out of the rectangular or other polygonal portions of the frame. Besides being molded, the frame can be assembled with at least some moulding rails cut or back cut with obtuse or acute angles other than 45°, and joined to the other portion(s) of the frame. Illustrative examples of are those frames reprsenting the form of the capital letters K, Q, S, X, Y, and Z.

In addition to the outside frame moulding representing the form of a letter or numeral, other frame components can contribute to the overall impression of a letter or numeral. For example, the opening cut in a mat, or the placement of a fillet within the frame, can further represent an opening within a letter, such as the inner openings in the upper portion of the capital letters A, P, and R, or the inner portion(s) of capital letters B. D and Q.

It will be understood that in order to represent certain letters or numerals, a combination of these embodiments may be required, Such as frames reprsenting the letters A, G, J, P and R.

In many embodiments, the frame in the form of the letter or numeral comprises at least six side portions.

In addition to the capital letters shown and described, lower case letters and numerals may be made according to the same described features.

According to further embodiments, the article for displaying objects, when viewed from the top profile, represents a form of at least one non-serif numerals 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9.

According to certain embodimetns, the article for displaying objects further includes a transparent cover that is adjacent ot the underside of the protruding lip of the frame moulding.

According to further embodiments. the article for displaying objects further includes a mat that is positioned insdie the article and optionally a transparent cover. When positioned insde the article, the mat is visible below the protruding lip.

It should be noted that the frame moulding is not limited to any particular design or shape. To the contrary, the frame moulding may comprise any design, pattern, shape, ornamentation, or color known in the frame art.

Examples of frames representing letters are shown in the accompanying drawing Figures, demonstrating illustrative frames having the characteristics described herein. It should be noted that the frames are not intended to be limited to the illustrative embodiments shown in the Figures.

FIG. 1 shows an illustrative embodiment of a frame 10 for displaying objects. Frame 10 is constructed in the form of a capital letter R. Frame 10 includes lengths of joined frame moulding 11-12 which form the representation of the capital letter R.

FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the back of the illustrative frame 10 in the form of a capital letter R. Frame 10 includes a sheet of Plexiglas® 30 that is held in place by the lip 40 of the profile of the frame 10.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view from the back of the illustrative capital letter R frame 10. This view illustrates indented portions 50, 60 in the rectangular portions of the frame 10. Indented portion 50 of frame 10 is formed by joining frame moulding lengths 14-16. Indented portion 60 of frame 10 is formed by joining frame moulding lengths 19 and 20. Of course, the indentations 50, 60 of frame 10 may also be achieved by manufacturing the frame in a suitably shaped mold.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of an illustrative assembled frame 10 that is in the shape of a capital letter R. As shown in FIG. 4, frame 10 includes mat window 70 forming part of the open portion of the letter R. Displayed in mat window 70 is a photograph 71. Additional photographs and objects are also shown matted and mounted within the frame 10.

FIG. 5 shows a cutaway elevational view of an illustrative frame moulding 80 having an outer wall 81. an inner rabbet 82 and a bottom surface 83. A top profile 84 is provided between the outer wall 81 and inner rabbet 82. Top profile 83 provides a protruding lip 85 over the inner rabbet 82.

FIG. 6 shows a cutaway elevational view of an illustrative shadow box moulding having an outer wall 91 and an inner rabbet 92. A top profile 93 extends between the outer wall 91 and inner rabbet 92, the top profile 93 providing a protruding lip 94 over the inner rabbet 92. A bottom surface 95 provides a recessed lip 96 extending into the inner rabbet 92.

FIG. 7 shows the top plan views of illustrative frames representing the shape of capital letters A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, serif I, J, K, L, N, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, X, Y, and Z.

Although the article for displaying objects has been described in detail through the above detailed description and the preceding examples, these examples are for the purpose of illustration only and it is understood that variations and modifications can be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention. It should be understood that the embodiments described above are not only in the alternative, but can be combined. 

1. An article for displaying an object comprising: side portions having an outer wall and an inner rabbet; a top profile between the outer wall and inner rabbet, the top profile providing a protruding lip over the inner rabbet; and a bottom surface; characterized by the article, when viewed from the top profile, representing a form of a letter or a numeral other than “O” or zero, non-serif capital “I”, lower case “l”, or non-serif numeral one, “M” or “W”.
 2. The article of claim 1, wherein the bottom surface comprises a recessed lip extending into the inner rabbet.
 3. The article of claim 1, wherein the form of the letter or numeral comprises at least six side portions.
 4. The article of claim 1, wherein the form of the letter or numeral comprises a generally rectangular shape having portions of at least one side of the rectangle indented into the side, wherein each side portion is disposed with respect to an adjacent side portion by a right angle.
 5. The article of claim 1, wherein the form of the letter or numeral comprises a generally rectangular shape having portions of at least one side of the rectangle indented into the side, wherein at least one side portion is disposed with respect to an adjacent side portion by an angle other than a right angle.
 6. The article of claim 1, wherein the form of the letter or numeral comprises a generally polygonal shape having more than 4 sides, wherein at least one side has an indentation in a portion thereof.
 7. The article of claim 1 comprising a generally rectangular section and a section outlined by side portions disposed with respect to adjacent side portions by an obtuse angle or back-cut angle.
 8. The article of claim 1 wherein the letter comprises at least one of the capital letters A, B, C, D, E, F. G, H, serif I, J, K, L, N, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, X, Y, or Z.
 9. The article of claim 1 wherein the numeral comprises at least one of non-serif 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or
 9. 10. The article of claim 1 comprising at least one of a picture frame, a photoframe, or a shadow box.
 11. The article of claim 1 further comprising a diagonal portion extending into or 1 5 out of at least one side of the form of the letter or numeral.
 12. The article of claim 1 including a transparent cover adjacent the underside of the protruding lip.
 13. The article of claim 1 including a backing or mounting material nested within the recessed lip.
 14. The article of claim 1 including a mat inside the article, visible below the protruding lip and optionally a transparent cover.
 15. The article of claim 1 having an opening in a fillet or mat representing an inner feature of a letter. 